Collingwood Grain Terminals

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Photo by Dave West Photography

Current Status:

On June 19, Council approved the Town project team to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Streetcar & Dream. The MOU is non-binding. It sets the foundation for future negotiations of any legal agreements and will help streamline the process.

Next Step:

Fall 2023: Public consultation to inform the plans and final designs for the Terminals and the surrounding public lands. Stay tuned for more details.

Four names (Terminals Point, The Spit, The Harbourlands, The Portlands) were shortlisted as options to rename this unique area that is home to the Collingwood

Photo by Dave West Photography

Current Status:

On June 19, Council approved the Town project team to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Streetcar & Dream. The MOU is non-binding. It sets the foundation for future negotiations of any legal agreements and will help streamline the process.

Next Step:

Fall 2023: Public consultation to inform the plans and final designs for the Terminals and the surrounding public lands. Stay tuned for more details.

Four names (Terminals Point, The Spit, The Harbourlands, The Portlands) were shortlisted as options to rename this unique area that is home to the Collingwood Grain Terminals and the surrounding spit land on Heritage Drive. The survey closed October 20th, the new project name will be announced soon!

Highlights: Streetcar & Dream proposed vision

The final decision for the design of the Terminals and public areas will be highly informed by community input. However, Streetcar & Dream’s proposed vision includes the following highlights (refer to Concept Photos):

  1. Redeveloping Heritage Drive into four distinct areas that link together.
  2. Preserving and revitalizing the Terminals into a full-service hotel with restaurants and event spaces.
  3. Adding a residential condominium to the east of the Terminals.
  4. Creating public access to the top “bin floor” for views of Georgian Bay and downtown Collingwood.
  5. Enhancing the community’s access to the shoreline and water, creating new trails and walkways, lookouts and boardwalks.
  6. Creating space for shops.
  7. Transforming the Collingwood Harbour marine area.

About the project

The Collingwood Grain Terminals have a long history in our community. They are highly prominent and iconic. They have been unused since 1993, and for years, many have been wondering about their future.

Since 2019, Town Council has been taking action to consider the options to revitalize the Terminals. The costs for the Town to revitalize the Terminals are more than taxpayers can afford. As such, Council approved entering into a private-sector partnership, which opens the door for the Town to do more for the community. It achieve three critical goals:

  1. It ensures the Town maintains ownership of the majority of the lands.
  2. It gives the Town authority to set expectations and hold private partners to account.
  3. It brings greater value for taxpayers’ dollars because it leverages private investment to upgrade and enhance public spaces and meet community needs.

Based on community input, Council approved a set of 16 Guiding Principles to form the basis of a partnership. In 2021, Town staff went to tender to find a potential partner to work with the Town on the revitalization project.

In August 2022, Streetcar and Dream was chosen as the successful company for this partnership because their proposed vision has the greatest alignment with the Guiding Principles.

Do you have a question about the Grain Terminals?

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  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    I thought Collingwood restricted buildings to 6 stories. The plans for the Terminals is well about that level. What's the scoop?

    18home72@gmail.com asked about 2 months ago

    The Town’s Zoning By-law regulates the maximum permitted heights of buildings in the Town of Collingwood – the permitted height of any given building is based on the zoning for that property.

    The Town’s new Official Plan recently adopted by Council (but not yet approved by the County of Simcoe) contains policies related to low-, mid-, and high-rise buildings that, if approved by the County, would be implemented through a new Zoning By-law, which the Town is initiating work on this year. 

    Existing buildings constructed prior to the current Zoning By-law coming into effect (April 12, 2010) would be considered non-conforming. 

    Should someone wish to construct a building that exceeds the maximum permitted height on a property, they can apply for a Zoning By-law Amendment, which is subject to public consultation as required for under the Planning Act. Council is the approval authority for Zoning By-law Amendments.

    Regarding the Grain Terminals, the existing structure surpasses 6 stories. The final design of the project is pending, but the proposed height exceeds the 6 stories. This project will be subject to the same Private Approvals process, and policies, as any other project would be within the Town of Collingwood.

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    Good day I’d like to know what is to happen to the personal bricks that were purchased to line part of the walk way near the water? I have 2 personalized bricks that if they are to be removed, I wish to have them back

    Melissa Townes asked 6 months ago

    The detailed design for the project is not yet finalized for the trail system. If the design evolves to the point where existing commemorative features are disturbed, they will either be returned or incorporated into the new design.

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    How does this project fall under the 4 storey building height limit and how will the already busy road leading to the terminals be handled with increased residential traffic?

    Laura asked 6 months ago

    Laura,

    Thank you for your inquiry and interest in the Grain Terminals Revitalization Project.  The existing structure does currently exceed four stories. This development will be subject to all the mandatory planning processes and approvals, which include heights considerations.

    Regarding the road, we recognize that these improvements will result in more traffic to this area. This is something that will be investigated further and addressed in the planning and detailed design stage of the project that will take place over the next two years.

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    Would the name “Harbor Place” be considered for the new revitalized Terminals ? Has a more modern sound and is not a duplicate of a Toronto name or an existing condo development in Collingwood

    Craigleith Michael asked 6 months ago

    Hi Michael,

    Thank you for the interest in the Grain Terminals Revitalization Project and for taking the time to provide your thoughts on the proposed new project names.

    The four options provided in the survey are based on extensive research, including the history of the site. The survey does provide a high-level description/reasoning behind the proposed names, please see those for additional information about why these four options were chosen.  The selected name (through this community survey) would simply replace the project name “Grain Terminals Revitalization Project” to ensure the project title speaks to the many public space improvements that will be part of the development.  The project name will not automatically name the final development or the lands.   

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    How tall is the terminal

    Neil asked 7 months ago

    The very top of the Grain Terminals Shipping Tower (the highest point) is currently approximately 200 feet above grade.

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    The concept is exciting! Has any thought been given to planning for the opportunity for the cruise ships to stop in Collingwood? There seems to be a couple of companies that offer Great Lake Tours.

    Susan asked 10 months ago

    Thank you for your positive feedback and insightful suggestions! An extensive public consultation will take place in 2023 and we encourage you to participate!

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    THis is an exciting proposal. I'm personally very happy that a long disused white elephant will (might?) see a useful future. I felt there was an important element missing from the presentation to Council: namely details on ownership. I see from the reply below that that is coming soon in the MOU. I feel that was an important element missing from the presentation, and should be discussed publicly before getting set in concrete. I sincerely hope that Streetcar takes complete ownership of the Terminals, but not Millenium Park or Heritage way. I'd gladly let them have it for $1, provided that they assume all future liability for the structure, and that the Town is properly protected with a surety in the event that the project ever falls into financial collapse.

    John Megarry asked 12 months ago

    Thank you for your positive feedback. There will be additional information forthcoming on the proposed ownership structure for the Terminals once the MOU has been endorsed by Council. The MOU is anticipated to be presented to Committee/Council in June 2023. 

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    Just wondering what the plan will be for the public boat launch during all of these proposed renovations? There is already a short season with very limited parking for day launch users. The launch at cranberry is nowhere near sufficient enough (zero parking) to be used as an alternative.

    Kelly Botting asked 12 months ago

    Thank you for your interest. The Town and the Developer will be coordinating access to the spit for stakeholders and the public as the design and construction planning proceeds. Certainly there will be times throughout the construction phases when access may be restricted, however best efforts will be made to respect the seasonal uses to the extent possible.

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    Did I read that the condo tower was to be 28 stories? How is this appropriate for the area? I fear this will be yet another development that benefits the developer and ruins the local population's current enjoyment of the waterfront, including the swimming area.

    tmcdee asked 12 months ago

    Thank you for your question. The proposed residential component is approximately 7 storeys taller than the existing Shipping Tower. The configuration and height of the proposed development will be subject to planning and land use approvals. A fundamental requirement of the development is that public access to the waterfront and amenities is paramount.  

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    What are you doing for parking?

    Tim McNabb asked 12 months ago

    Thank you for your interest. The conceptual design proposes a combination of below ground and surface parking to support private and public interests. More details regarding parking will be available as the design detail progresses as it will be informed through the public consultation process.

Page last updated: 21 Nov 2023, 01:55 PM